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Abstract
The effect of a triphasic oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol and gestodene
(EE/GSD) on various serum hormonal parameters was compared with that of a monophasic
formulation containing 35 μg ethinylestradiol and 250 μg norgestimate (EE/NGM). Blood
samples were collected from 46 women on days 2, 11, and 21 of the preceding control
cycle and of the third, sixth and twelfth treatment cycle. There was no significant
difference in the influence on any hormonal parameter between both formulations. Both
EE/GSD and EE/NGM caused a time-dependent suppression of serum dehydroepiandrosterone
sulphate (DHEA-S) by 20–30% (p < 0.01) and a reduction of 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol
glucuronide by 50–60% (p < 0.01) during each treatment cycle, while androstenedione
levels were reduced by 25% (p < 0.01). There was also a significant decrease in the
levels of total testosterone by 30–35% (p < 0.01) and free testosterone by 60% (p
< 0.01), while sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was increased by 200–240% on days
11 and 21 (p < 0.01). During the pill-free interval the SHBG levels were reduced to
a certain degree but remained elevated by 100% as compared to the pretreatment values.
The serum levels of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) which is known to be influenced
only by the estrogenic component of combination pills, increased significantly by
170% (p < 0.01) during each treatment cycle. During the pill-free interval of 7 days,
the CBG levels decreased but were still elevated by 90–100% as compared to the control
cycle. Similarly, the serum levels of cortisol were significantly elevated by 110–140%
(p < 0.01) during treatment with both preparations. The results demonstrate a profound
suppression of androgen levels and peripheral androgen metabolism.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
May 10,
1995
Received in revised form:
April 10,
1995
Received:
February 7,
1995
Identification
Copyright
© 1995 Published by Elsevier Inc.
